Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-02-06
TECHNICALLY GUILTY.
.ut Convicted Under the Law and
Evidence.


A New Orleans special says: The
trial of Gustav Koeckert, charged with
violating the Unitsd States statute
which forbids the photogaphing or
copying Of any bond, note, or security
of foreign Government, was com
menced Yesterday and terminated to-
day. The principal witness was Lucius
A. White, of Texas, who had turned
informer. He was brought to this city
from the jail at st. Charles, No, to
testify in this case. His brother, Jo-
seph II. White, who pleaded guilty
TO counterfeiting the Brazilian notes,
was sentenced to three years i'm
prisonment this month, dating from
August 8, 1885. White testified
to having come to New Orleans in
June or July, 1885. He went to
Koeckert with "A Brazilian note for 200
milreis, and bargained for him to en-
grave copy of the back Of the note,
to be used as a cigar-hbel. He was to
make 3, 600 impressions and TO receive
$50. Koeckert was assured that the
work was for no iIlegitimate purpose,
and no secrecy was made of the mat
ter. KoecIert visited photographer
and had a copy made to help him in his
work. United States DiStrict-Attorney
Bliss, of st. Louis, dispatched to the
district attorney here an intimation OF
what was going on, and Koeckert
turned over everything 10 the special
officer who called upon him. He never
thought until then that there was any
thing wrong in the transaction.
The attorney for the accused claimed
that there was no attempt 10 defrau1
on the part Of Koeckert but Judge
Billings ruled that there could be no
doubt about the meaning OF the statute
under which the prosecution was con-
ducted-yiz., San act TO prevent the
counterfeiting within the United States
of notes, bonds, and other securities of
foreign Governments. The Judge ana
lyzed the six sections of the act. The first
refers to counterfeiting, the second TO
uttering, the third to altering, the
fourth TO the uttering of altered notes,
the fifth to the possession Of counter
feits, and the sixth forbids any person
to have in his possession any plate or
likeness OF engraving from which bonds
or notes may be printed, or to copy or
photograph any note, bill, or security
OF foreign Government. The penalty
for the violation Of the statute is a fine
not exceeding $1,000. or imprisonment
not exceeding five years, or both. The
last section OF the statute is absolutely
prohibitory, and says nothing of any
intent to defraud.
The case wasclosed to-day after hear
ing about dozen witnesses. The jury
was charged by Judge Billings, and,
having no option under the evidence
and the law as presented, returned from
their seats verdict of guilty, but
strongly recommended the defendant to
mercy. Judge Billings said he would
postpone the sentence, and would release
the defendant on 5000 bonds, Thus
giving him AN opportunity to apply
to the President for pardon, which
application viii be made ut once. Dir.
koeckert was released on bond. The
evidence in the case shows that he was
only technically guilty in tliS pro-
| ceeding, having violated the Nv through
| ignorance, and without criminal intent
The case, however,, has efkeited GTea&
deal az interest," II 1r M m
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